To help evaluate the subject's suitability for behavior analysis it is helpful to have them ____________.

• A. Conduct a full polygraph
• B. Fill out a data sheet prior to the interview
• C. Review prior criminal record before meeting
• D. Interview them first without preparation

Answer: (B)

Collecting baseline information before the interview is essential for behavior analysis because it gives you a structured reference to interpret what you observe. When the subject completes a data sheet ahead of time, you gain important context about personal history, circumstances, and factors that could influence responses. This pre-session information lets you tailor questions, anticipate topics to probe, and spot inconsistencies or changes in behavior as the interview unfolds. It also helps you establish rapport more smoothly, since you’ve already shown you value their background and are prepared to listen.

In this field, you’re monitoring patterns, honesty indicators, and how statements align with known history. Having organized data in advance anchors your observations, making your analysis more objective rather than reactive to surface statements.

Why the other options fit less well: a polygraph is invasive and not a standard, reliable pre-interview tool for determining suitability in behavior analysis; reviewing a criminal record before meeting can bias your impression before any interaction; interviewing without preparation removes a critical opportunity to structure questions and establish a baseline for comparison.